The operatives will now collect a minimum of N80,000 in line with the new state minimum wage.
State Commander of the Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo Olasoji (DCP rtd.), who announced it during a series of stakeholders’ engagements held across the three senatorial districts of the state, at Agbani, Nsukka, and Awgu, said those who want to join the Guard must be persons of integrity.
Dr. Akinbayo, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the Enugu State Police Command before his recent retirement, added that their nominations would be endorsed by their traditional rulers and town union presidents, who would also be held accountable for their conduct.
“We are here to have a heart-to-heart conversation with our stakeholders on how to keep politics and favouritism out of this exercise.
“We want trusted youths who know the forests, rivers and caves of their communities. They must not be involved in crime or drugs,” he warned.
According to him, the new approach would enable communities to nominate trusted youths who can play a frontline role in tackling insecurity.
“Our target is to disrupt criminal hideouts, rescue victims and secure our forests.
“The first batch will undergo two months of training by the end of this month, in line with directives from the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he explained.
He also appealed for collaboration from stakeholders, stressing the need for community members to volunteer timely information on criminal hideouts and illegal camps in the forests for the effective operations of the Forest Guards.
The council chairmen from the three senatorial zones – Obiora Obeagu of Isi-Uzo (Enugu East), Engr. Jude Asogwa of Nsukka (Enugu North), and Joseph Okoro (Enugu West), pledged full support for the governor’s reforms and assured there would be no personal or political interference in the exercise.
Traditional rulers also gave their backing. The Chairman of Enugu North Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Herbert Ukuta, said the initiative reflected transparency and inclusivity while also providing meaningful employment for young people.
“We commend the state government for embracing a restructured and more effective forest protection system. Hosting meetings across the zones shows openness. This will strengthen security and create jobs for our youths,” he said.
The sensitisation tour ended at the Maryland Timber Market, where the commander, following the arrest of the leader of an illegal logging syndicate, declared that the era of unchecked deforestation in Enugu State was over.
He warned that those who engage in cutting immature trees or destroying forests would henceforth face arrest and prosecution.
The meetings was attended by local government chairmen, traditional rulers, town union leaders, farmers, hunters, vigilante groups, women and youth representatives.
